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| Actors’ Equity Association Announces “Legacy Robe” As the New Name For the Broadway Tradition Celebrating Chorus Members | |
| Posted by: Official_Press_Release 11:48 am EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| Actors’ Equity Association Announces “Legacy Robe” As the New Name For the Broadway Tradition Celebrating Chorus Members Actors’ Equity Association has announced that a new name has been chosen for the tradition formerly known as the “Gypsy Robe.” Moving forward, the Robe and tradition will be referred to as the “Legacy Robe” – a name chosen by members in a survey. “The Legacy Robe reminds us why our tradition exists. It emphasizes the history of Chorus performers, their years of dedication and hard work and just how essential they are to every Broadway musical,” said Mary McColl, Executive Director of Actors’ Equity. “The ceremony on opening night will go on like it has for years, and I look forward to celebrating another season’s long serving Chorus performers with recognition of their professionalism as they receive the Legacy Robe.” The name change came following a multi-step process that included a vote of Equity’s National Council, and recommendations from Equity’s Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs and National Equal Employment Opportunity Committee. Following that, members voted on the name change in a survey. The name “Legacy Robe” describes the tradition that occurs on opening night of every Broadway chorus musical. The Robe is given to the Chorus member that has worked the most Broadway chorus contracts. While the original name was intended by members to be an honorific, the name change was made to recognize that the usage of the former name no longer has that impact, but is instead insensitive. As a Union for actors and stage managers, Equity has an obligation to lead by example on this issue. The next presentation of the Legacy Robe will take place on July 26 at the Hudson Theatre, where the musical Head Over Heels will open. Following the tradition, the Robe recipient circles the stage three times while cast members reach out and touch the Robe for good luck. The recipient of the Robe then visits each dressing room to "bless" the show. A decorative panel representing their show is then sewn onto the Robe, which is passed on to a recipient in the next chorus musical that opens. This ritual began in 1950 when Bill Bradley, a Chorus member of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, persuaded fellow Chorus member Florence Baum to give him her dressing gown. As a lark, he sent it to a friend, Arthur Partington, a Call Me Madam Chorus member, on opening night, telling him it had been worn by all the Ziegfeld beauties. Arthur added a rose from star Ethel Merman's gown and sent it to a chorus member on the next opening night of Guys and Dolls. It was then passed from show to show and was often presented to a friend of the previous recipient or awarded to a chorus member based on popularity. Through the decades, the passing of the Robe became a specific ceremony with official rules stating how it is to be presented, worn and paraded on stage. Three retired Robes are at the Lincoln Center Library of the Performing Arts; there are also Robes at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, and at the Museum of the City of New York. All others are with Actors' Equity. ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its Members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks |
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| Roma Peoples Project praises Actors' Equity and is 'moved by its honorable choice' | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 02:15 pm EDT 07/14/18 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 02:08 pm EDT 07/14/18 | |
| In reply to: Actors’ Equity Association Announces “Legacy Robe” As the New Name For the Broadway Tradition Celebrating Chorus Members - Official_Press_Release 11:48 am EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| The Roma Peoples Project tweeted its appreciation to Equity: ''It is a step towards accurate representation of Roma people in mainstream society.'' I'm assuming it was originally called a Gypsy Robe because it honored the dancers who travel, like a Gypsy (or vagabond), from show to show. But since the Roma people find the term ''Gypsy'' offensive and evokes negative stereotypes, it's an honorable gesture for Equity to respond to that. A bit of history: Reportedly, Europeans derisively called the Romani people ''Gypsies'' because they believed they came from Egypt because of their dark features. They also have been persecuted and enslaved. Roma historians estimate 70% of the Roma people were killed in the Holocaust. In this country, many Native Americans find ''redskins'' offensive, and I wish the Washington Redskins would change that name, too. Reacting to outdated ethnic stereotypes and the concerns of those offended, isn't ''P.C.'' It's being sensitive to living in a more diverse world. |
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| Link | BroadwayWorld.com: Roma Peoples Project Responds to Name Change of 'Gypsy Robe' to 'Legacy Robe' |
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| Are they going to rename the musical GYPSY to LEGACY?!!!!! | |
| Posted by: BillyG 12:34 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
| In reply to: Actors’ Equity Association Announces “Legacy Robe” As the New Name For the Broadway Tradition Celebrating Chorus Members - Official_Press_Release 11:48 am EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| I'm just asking... | |
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| re: Are they going to rename the musical GYPSY to LEGACY?!!!!! | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 01:55 am EDT 07/15/18 | |
| In reply to: Are they going to rename the musical GYPSY to LEGACY?!!!!! - BillyG 12:34 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| Just call it "Pushy Woman"! :) | |
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| Why would they? The robe was not named for the musical. | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 01:43 pm EDT 07/14/18 | |
| In reply to: Are they going to rename the musical GYPSY to LEGACY?!!!!! - BillyG 12:34 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| The robe preceded the musical. It came after Maxwell Anderson's play Gypsy, but I don't think it was named for that either. Of course I know you're just trying to be provocative, but I think my answer was less silly than your question. |
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| re: Are they going to rename the musical GYPSY to LEGACY?!!!!! | |
| Posted by: ryhog 02:24 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
| In reply to: Are they going to rename the musical GYPSY to LEGACY?!!!!! - BillyG 12:34 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| No, you are not just asking. But thanks for playing. |
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| re: Are they going to rename the musical GYPSY to LEGACY?!!!!! | |
| Posted by: MikeR 02:17 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
| In reply to: Are they going to rename the musical GYPSY to LEGACY?!!!!! - BillyG 12:34 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| Honestly, I was ambivalent about the name change when it was first announced, but it was this type of hysterical reaction that pushed me firmly into the "pro" camp. | |
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| No. Nobody is going to rename GYPSY. It's named for a real person. (NM) | |
| Posted by: Seth Christenfeld (tabula-rasa@verizon.net) 12:35 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
| In reply to: Are they going to rename the musical GYPSY to LEGACY?!!!!! - BillyG 12:34 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| Seth, ugh | |
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| re: No. Nobody is going to rename GYPSY. It's named for a real person. (NM) | |
| Posted by: FinalPerformance 12:53 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
| In reply to: No. Nobody is going to rename GYPSY. It's named for a real person. (NM) - Seth Christenfeld 12:35 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| My thoughts can not be put in words. | |
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| re: No. Nobody is going to rename GYPSY. It's named for a real person. (NM) | |
| Posted by: theaterbear 02:41 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
| In reply to: re: No. Nobody is going to rename GYPSY. It's named for a real person. (NM) - FinalPerformance 12:53 pm EDT 07/13/18 | |
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| My thoughts CAN be put into words... but those words shouldn't be used on this site. | |
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